Santa Claus will make an appearance Saturday, Dec. 9 in downtown Bluffton
By SYDNEY KENT
Bluffton’s seventh annual Parlor City Christmas is set to have folks mingling, jingling, and unwrapping a host of holiday activities this Saturday, Dec. 9.
“What the Parlor City Christmas Committee is most looking forward to is to provide a great family-friendly event for our community,” said Erin Prible, executive director of the Wells County Chamber of Commerce.
She noted that many sponsors, partners, volunteers, organizations and businesses come together every year to make the event a success. Prible added that the committee appreciates everyone involved.
The event will begin with breakfast by donation with Santa at the Masonic Lodge at 8 a.m. Breakfast will also be served at the American Legion for $11.
Grace and Mercy will host their annual cookie walk at The Lounge between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., with additional treats and goodies served by downtown businesses in Bluffton at the goodie walk later on in the day.
Horse drawn carriage rides, a live nativity, free pictures with Santa, face painting, a princess meet-and-greet, and snowman photo opportunities will fill the hours of 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with ample opportunity for festive fun.
Christmas at the Mansion will take place between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Wells County Historical Museum, where interested parties can arrive by the popular trolley that stops at the library, Wells County Commerce & Visitors Centre, and Market Street until 3:30 p.m.
The evening will close with a play by the Creative Arts Council until 7 p.m. and the Wonderland of Lights featuring stories with Santa and hot cocoa at Ouabache State Park until 9 p.m.
Event-goers will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite downtown business window in the window decorating competition throughout the day.
Parlor City Christmas schedule
Saturday, Dec. 9
8 to 11 a.m.
• Breakfast–cost $11 at the American Legion.
• Breakfast with Santa – donation at the Masonic Lodge.
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Cookie Walk benefiting Grace & Mercy Transitional Housing at The Lounge – 303 W. Market St.
9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Musical Entertainment featuring Studio 88, Jeanette S. Lundeen Music Studio, Creative Arts School of Music, Tammy Ray Piano Studio, and Gretchen Steffen’s piano students at the Wells County Public Library.
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Parlor City Shopping Fair–shop local with 35+ artisans and vendors at the Wells County Commerce & Visitors Centre – 211 W. Water St.
• Wood Carvings by Ryan Frauhiger of Forrest Carvings; warm up by the outdoor fire on the patio and eniov a Pinewood Derby track at the Wells County Commerce & Visitors Centre.
10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Trolley Rides – stops at the library, Historical Museum, Wells County Commerce & Visitors Centre, and Market St.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Christmas at the Mansion at the Wells County Historical Museum.
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Owl Demonstration at the 100 block of W. Market St.
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Live Reindeer at the Parlor City Plaza.
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Sentimental Journeys horse-drawn wagon rides will start from the Wells County Public Library.
• Goodie Walk–free food & treats by local businesses throughout Downtown Bluffton.
• Connect 4 Basketball and various games at the 200 block of W. Market St.
• Ben Burman State Farm will be hosting Santa at Parlor Studios at 224 W. Market St. with free pictures by Burman Photography.
• NeuEnchanted Expressions Face Painting by Carissa, A Balloon Above, and Jessica Shoemaker Events–free face painting, balloon animals, and photo booth at 209 W. Market St.
• Princess Meet-and-Greet and Busted Haft Throwing at the 100 block of W. Market St.
• Crafts, goodies, and mini organ concerts at 11:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m., and 1:15 p.m. at the First Reformed Church.
• Snowman character and photo ops throughout downtown (tag “parlorcitychristmas” in photos)
11 a.m. to evening
• Live Nativity (Dutch Mill Plaza)
3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• White Christmas by the Creative Arts Theater Department-admission $15 for adults. $10 for 12 & under in the auditorium at 428 S. Oak St.
6 to 9 p.m.
• Wonderland of Lights featuring stories with Santa and hot cocoa-entry donation at Ouabache State Park.
Throughout the day
• Vote on your favorite for the Window Decorating Contest.
• Read a story at the StoryWalk at Pickett’s Run Park.
sydney@news-banner.com
